THE RTÉ PANEL were in a positive mood after seeing Ireland beat Wales to secure a place in the play-offs.
Martin O’Neill had previously been criticised for his omission of Wes Hoolahan, though the panel acknowledged the Irish coach had been vindicated to a degree following tonight’s excellent result in Cardiff.
Eamon Dunphy was full of praise for Jeff Hendrick and his tenacity in winning the ball back for the goal, calling the moment “sport at its finest”.
Dunphy also admitted he would have left Hendrick out for the match had he been in O’Neill’s position.
“When you’re an analyst, you have a view, and it’s a view that should be honest,” he said.
“That would have been my choice, maybe we would have won the game another way.”
While praising the Irish players’ courage and character, Dunphy also revealed he still had reservations about O’Neill’s approach.
“I don’t like his style of football, it’s not personal. But he delivered tonight.
“He delivered in the European Championships and I can live with it, because everyone in Ireland is happy tonight.”
Later, the veteran analyst while laughing, remarked self-deprecatingly: “I’ve got my obituary for Martin here (pointing to a sheet of paper) It’s going in the bin.”
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